Envelop-opener.



No. 694,8!7. Patented Mar. 4, I902.

T. ANDERSON.

ENVELOP OPENER.

(Application filed Aug. 15, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE ANDERSON, OF JUNCTION, NEiV JERSEY.

ENVELOP-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent NO. 694,817, dated. March 4, 1902. Application filed August 16, 1301. Serial lilo. 72,120. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at J unction, in the countyof Hunterdon and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for opening envelops; and its object is to provide an improved constrnction of the same which shall possess superior advantages with respect to efiiciency in use,

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelop-opener constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 isa similar view looking from the under side. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates a blade curved at the front end on the back at 2 and formed with a straight cutting edge 3. The blade 1 is formed integral with a bar, which is turned back at 4 and extends at 5 parallel to the blade 1, then at 6 and 7 and S to form parallel members 6, 7, and 8, respectively, extending at right angles to the blade. These convolutions form a support for a rounded runner 9, which is socured by keepers 10 to the forward ends of two diverging resilient bars 11, passing through apertures 12 in the members 6, 7, and 8 The rods 11 are adjustable in the apertures 12, and thus render it possible to adjust the runner 9. The rear end of the rods 11 are coiled around and connected to form fingergrips 13 for operating the device. To engage the freshly-cut edges of the paper to hold the paper taut and prevent its rumpling and to regulate the depth of out of the blade 1, guides 14 are mounted each side thereof, which consist of parallel members formed by passing a wire through perforations 15 in the blade and securing the ends together by solder or otherwise.

In using my device it is grasped by the members 13 with'the thumb and forefinger, the runner 9 and the rounded back 2 of the blade l resting on the desk, as shown in Fig. 3, supposing the plane of thepaper to be the plane of the desk, and the point of the blade 1 inserted in the paper. It is then shoved along and the envelop cut open. The guides 14 regulate the depth of cut, and thus protect the contents of the letter from injury and at the same time keep the paper from rumpling, thus insuring a clean cut.

While the device is intended, primarily, to open envelops, it may be employed with advantage for cutting cloth and other textile materials. i

I do not wish to be limited as to details of construction, as these may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A device of the class described, comprising a combination of a blade rounded ed on the back: and having a straight cutting edge,

runner mounted on said blade, a gage rounded off on theunder side and located parallel to said blade, and finger-grips for operating the device, substantially as described.

2. In a paper-cutter the combination of a blade rounded off on the back near the point, guides mounted one on each side of the blade and located in position to engage the freshlysevered edges of the paper as the cutter is shoved along, a runner mounted alongside said blade and constructed to bear on a plane surface, and finger-grips for operating the device, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE ANDERSON.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. A. BONNELL, GEORGE E. HUMMELL. 

